When choosing a career, most people consider these things: What they’re passionate about, how much money they’ll make, and what they’re good at. These are great starting points, but they are not the end of the career exploration journey. The following questions will help you determine not only what you’re good at or will get paid for, but what kind of LIFE you want.

Questions to Consider When Choosing a Career:

Where do you want to live?

Close to family? In a rural setting? Somewhere international? Determining where you want to work geographically will help you determine what kind of work you want to do.

What kind of people do you want to work with?

Laid back? Introverted? Type A? People who joke around? People who take their work very, very seriously?

What kind of supervisor do you want?

Do you want a supervisor who doesn’t mind when you take a couple of hours for doctors’ appointments or your kid’s recital? Do you want a supervisor who is quick to praise? Do you want a supervisor who gives you honest feedback? A director who is very clear about expectations?

What do the hiring trends for the careers you’re considering look like?

Considering a PhD in 1840s British literature? Great. Will you have a job once you get that doctorate? Maybe not…

Know how fast the jobs you’re considering are growing and what the education requirements will be in the future.

People, things, or ideas?

Meaning, do you want to help people? Come up with new ways to do things? Work with your hands or use machinery?

What DO you want to do all day?

Do you want to be behind a desk? Working outdoors? Networking with lots of people? Do you want a job that ends a 5pm?

What do you really freaking like to do?

Confession: I really like to sing. I have fun singing with my friends or just in the car by myself. Problem is, I’m not so great at it AND I don’t have the passion to devote to a singing career. We often think that, just because we like to do something, or just because we do something well, means that we should turn it into a career. Hobbies are great—they provide a wonderful break from your 9-5 job. So maybe I’ll never be a famous rock star—I’ll always have my car radio…

What are you really freaking good at?

Like I said, I like to sing. Sadly, I’m pretty certain no one will ever pay me for it. Why? Because I’m no Christina Aguilera. You can really love anything: soccer, psychiatry, mechanical engineering, but if you don’t have the talent for it, you should probably consider another career path.

Do you want to be outside most of the day? Are you perfectly happy sitting in front of a computer all morning? Do you want to attend daily meetings? Do physical work? Have close friendships with your colleagues? Never come out of your cubicle?

What kind of life do you want, period?

Do you want a big house, expensive vacations, and financial security? It’ll probably require working 80-90 hours a week as an investment banker or a surgical intern? If you don’t mind, then you may have found a great career path. Do you want 4 kids and plenty of time to take them to Little Gym? Perhaps you should find a company or career that provides more work/life balance. Are you a night owl who’d prefer to work 3rd shift? It’s important to understand yourself, your needs, and the needs of those you love when considering a new job or a career path.

3 responses to “What Kind of Life Do YOU Want?”

In truth, there’s not a major difference between question 6 and question 9. When writing the questions, I was thinking of question 6 as action-oriented–i.e., do you want to be up and moving around, do you mind working overtime or second or third shift, etc. Regarding question 9, I consider it more atmosphere-oriented–do you want a high stress environment, a laid back workplace, do you want to be around people constantly or be by yourself most of the time, etc.

I hope this makes the (admittedly small) differences between questions 6 and 9 a little clearer. Thank you for commenting!